A view of South Alexander Park from the shores of the Cannon River in North Alexander Park.

THE GOLDEN HOUR. Those three words hold great meaning to anyone into photography. It is the 60 minutes after sunrise and the 60 minutes before sunset—the time when natural light lends a softness to images.

A lone mallard swims in the quiet waters of the Cannon River in North Alexander Park.

Recently, I grabbed my camera to photograph early evening spring scenes at two Faribault city parks—North Alexander and Two Rivers. The results show the beauty of incredible natural light in making a photo.

Enjoy.

The converging of the Cannon and Straight Rivers at Two Rivers Park.

A nearly camouflaged bird along the banks of the Cannon River, North Alexander Park.

In the still of a beautiful May evening. trees reflect in the Cannon River as seen from North Alexander Park.

Lots of geese populate the Cannon, including this young family photographed in North Alexander Park.

The historic Faribault Woolen Mill sits along the Cannon River, photographed here from North Alexander Park.

Reflections at Two Rivers Park.

Picnic tables placed along the Cannon River in North Alexander Park (next to the recreational trail) provide riverside dining.

THE LITERARY SIDE of me wants to write Make Way for Ducklings as the title of this post in reference to Robert McCloskey’s children’s picture book.

But that would prove inaccurate. These water fowl are geese, not ducks. And they were swimming in the choppy waters of the Cannon River several days ago on their way to wherever.

That they paddled a safe distance from me eased any concerns about an attack. I stood along the shoreline, amazed at these determined geese, amazed at the natural instinct of parents to shelter, guide and protect their young. A lot, I thought, like us human parents.